Automatic shutoff dispensing nozzle valve



Jan. 8, 1952 L. H. nul-:RR

` AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF' DISPENSING NOZZLE VALVE Filed March 8, 1950 A INVENTOR. EON/1,90 bf DUE/ m jatented jan. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC,snUToEFpisPENsiNG NozzLE VALVE Leonard n.v Duerr, cincinnati, ohafass-gnorto OPW Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 8, 1950, Serial No'. 148,356

, 1 rIfhis invention relates to' automatically operating now control valves or nozzles of the type exemplified by such patents' as Payne 1,550,738 and. Davis 2,320,033 and wherein approximate filling of a receptacle by way of such nozzle serves toautomatically-elose the valve.

In such. devices, submergence of the discharge end. of theI nozzle in the dispensed liquid causes a* flexible diaphragm to function and cause theY main or'low control valve to close'.

More particularly, this invention relates tor a mechanism comprising a flexible diaphragm adapted to.` react to pressures upon opposite sides thereof for automatically operating a ilow control valve toshut off the flow of liquid through dispensing devices of. the character indicated.

A further object of this invention is to provide a nozzle-valve of this type having a hand lever for manually opening the valve with an automatic trip which automatically resets to operativel position when the valve actuating hand lever is released toV its normal valve closing position, atwhich time the flow control valve is closed or on its seat.

A further object of this invention is to provide a diaphragm-operated trip for a nozzle Valve which is adapted to shut off not only when the ratev of liquidy delivery is high but also when the rate ofliquid delivery, is low.

Another object is to provide a durable dispensngfvalve, the operating parts of which may beV of substantial and sturdy construction, whereby. thevalve is adapted to withstandrough handl'i'ng, and abuse suoli as being dropped upon hard surfaces without impairing. the proper functioningl of the automatic operating parts thereof.

Another object of' the invention is to provide a device thatV is simple in construction and operation. and' the manufacture and assembly of the parts' of which may be accomplished expeditiously andeconomically.

The above and' other objects and features of the inventionwill in part be obvious and will in part be apparent'. from the following detailed description; and the drawing, in which:

Figure 1` is a view in side elevation showing an automatic shuteoi valve constructed' in accordance with" an embodiment' of this invention, the discharge' end1 ofY the valve being' shown in` a liquid container;

Fig. 2l is-a- View in lengthwise section of the valvefillustrated in Eig; 1";

Figi. 3: is al sectional view taken' alongaline III-III in Fig. 2.

In the. following detailed description, and the 7 Claims. (Cl. 22e-:127i

. i 2 drawing', like reference characters indicate like parts.

As shown in Figs, 1 and 2, the shut-oir valve comprises av body 4 having a normally c1osed. main valve 5 therein, a dispensing nozzle 6, a valve handle or lever' 11 provided with a fulcrum'v 3 a pressure responsive diphragm mecha` nism 9. With any quantity of liquid nowng through vthe nozzle, mechanism 9' is arranged to trip or release the fulcrum 3 toa position when malin valve 5 will automatically close when the discharge end of the nozzle is submerged in liquid tol a predetermined depth. The body 4 is pro-1` vided' with an inlet passageway I2V which leads to' a valve seat t3 on which main valve 5 is norfmally pressed or seated by a main spring t6. When the, main valv'e' is open,- inlet passageway l2 communicates with an outlett'passageway H which, in turr'rfis' connected to" the discharge nozzle 5'. The tubular nozzle 6 threaded into' body lf and is secured by a lock nut I9.

The mainvalve 5 is provided with;l a valve stem' 24| which extends downwardly and outwardly of body l through a packingV gland 22V. The lower end of the stern is disposed' to' be engaged by hand lever lfwhen the lever is actuated upwardly,

to lift valve 5V off its seaty against the force of ably disposedr in a'. housing or sleeve' 26 which is integral with the7 valve body 4, andl an externally threadedl sleevev 2l', the latter being threaded into' sleeve 26.` Plunger- 25 is urged. upwardly by a coilspring 28' as? shown, but is restricted ini its' travelrbyf Contactoif fulcrum 8 with' base of body" Il.` It is urged; downwardly by spring f6! as will? be explained later.

Normally, thevplungei" 2-5 i's-held.` in a fixed posi-v tion by a locking. mechanism comprising aplu'- ral-ity of balls 3 l' nested in radial openings 32l (see Fig.- .3) in.l the plunger andv an annular shoulder 33l0n the interior ofsle'eve 2l. The balls are' held on.` shouldery 33;. as shown, by .a pin 3'4' sec "ed to thefundersidefo the diaphragm 9i Thefpin' is' providedV with atapered portion"V 351' ata locationslightly below the. balls. Below tapered portion 35, the pin' includes a dependingstem 35" which" serves asa ball"l retainer. Thus, when the pinL is" ated downwardly, provided hand lever 1 is in its valve opening position. This movementl of the plunger results because of the strong force of spring I6 and the relatively weaker force of spring 28. When the plunger moves downward, fulcrum 8 is released to dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 whereby the valve stem is disengaged from hand lever 1.

The diaphr-agm is actuated upwardly by suction (or reduction in pressure) in the chamber above the diaphragm. The suction results from ow of liquid through the main valve. While the discharge end of the nozzle is not submerged, the pressure in the diaphragm chamber is not reduced suificiently to deflect the diaphragm to the tripping position of the locking mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 2, the marginal edge of the diaphragm 9 is clamped between .a cap 36 and the valve body by suitable screws 3l. The space between the cap and the"- diaphragm is the suction chamber 31. This chamber communicates with a tube 38 the open end of which is at 40 adjacent the outlet of the nozzle. Opening 40 extends through the side wall of the nozzle and is removed from the flow stream through the nozzle. The diaphragm chamber also communicates with the ow passageway Il adjacent and immediately below valve 5, through a passageway 4i. The ow passageway of the valve is designed to provide a Venturi effect on the diaphragm. As shown, a ring 42 is mounted in the passageway below the valve seat. The interior of the ring has a tapered surface which provides a converged or restricted throat 43. Immediately below the throat is an annular groove to which passageway 4I is connected.

In order that the restricted or Venturi passageway may be adjusted in iiow area for various positions of valve 5, other than closed, and thereby insure that sufficient suction will be developed at low rates of flow say 2 or 2.5 G. P. M. as well as at high rates say 12 to l5 G. P. M., including the intermediate values of rates of flow, the upper part of the valve stem is provided lwith an inverted frusto-conic portion 44. The upper por-- tion of section 44 has a frusto-conic section 4'5 of wider angle adjacent the valve seat. These frusto-conic sections so regulate the restricted flow area through the valve for the various open positions of valve 5 that a high degree of suction is developed at the inlet to the diaphragm chamber at the various rates of flow of liquid through the nozzle'which are encountered in practice.

Assuming that the fulcrum is in its locked position and it is desired to ll the container 45 shown in Fig. l, the nozzle is placed as shown. The operator then lifts the valve handle to the dotted line position of Fig. 2. Since the fulcrum 8 is held in xed position, valve stem 2| will be lifted and valve `5 opened. As liquid flows into the container, air will be drawn into opening 40 through the tube 38 into diaphragm chamber 31 and thence from the chamber through passageway 4l to the liquid flowing through the valve. When opening 40 is submerged, air is evacuated from the diaphragm chamber whereby the differential pressure acting thereon causes the diaphragm to move upwardlyagainst the force of spring 29. The diaphragm carries lwith it pin 34 whereby the balls 3| are released as previously described. The fulcrum plunger 25 and its fulcrum 8 are then moved downwardly by spring I6 acting through valve stem 2l whereby the main valve is automatically closed and the ow vto the cointainer is shut off. When the valve handle l is released to closed position the fulcrum plunger is reset by spring 2B to the position where the balls will be deflected outwardly to their locking position, the balls being forced to this position by the conical surface 35 or taper on pin 34 which will have been released to its normal position by diaphragm spring 29 when the main valve is closed.

In practice, spring 29 is so designed that only a slight suction or reduction in pressure in the diaphragm chamber is required to lift the ball release pin to the fulcrum tripping position.

The shut-off valve described above and illustrated in the drawing is subject to structural modication without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic shut-off dispensing nozzle for fluids comprising a valve mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid through the nozzle, a diaphragm and a chamber associated therewith, said valve mechanism including a main valve having a valve opening on the discharge side thereof constricted in the direction of iiow therethrough, said oonstricted passageway and said chamber being in communication with one another, an orifice disposed adjacent the discharge end of the nozzle, a tube leading from said oriice to said chamber whereby air is drawn from said orifice through the diaphragm chamber into said constricted passageway when fluid flows therethrough and said orice is exposed, air being withdrawn from the diaphragm chamber when said orice is submerged in the dispensed liquid, whereby a pressure differential acts on said diaphragm to deflect the same, a main spring constantly urging said valve to closed position, a plunger mounted to move toward and away from the diaphragm, a hand lever for operating the main valve, said hand lever having a fulcrum carried by said plunger, said plunger being movable between a fixed position in which the hand lever is adapted to open the main valve and a disengaged position in which the hand lever is rendered inoperative to open the main valve, said plunger having a plurality of radial openings, a stationary sleeve surrounding the plunger, said sleeve having a locking shoulder facing the plunger, the radial openings in the plunger being adapted to register with the locking shoulder when the plunger is in xed position, a plurality of locking balls, one of said balls being disposed in each radial opening, said balls being adapted to engage said locking shoulder to lock the plunger in xed position, said plunger having an axial opening in communication with the radial openings, a retainer pin attached to the diaphragm and slideable in said axial opening, said pin having a locking section adapted to engage said locking balls to hold said locking balls in engagement with said locking shoulder, and means urging the diaphragm and pin to ball engaging position, said diaphragm moving the pin out of ball engaging position in response to the development of pressure diierential resulting when said orifice is submerged to release the balls from engagement with the locking shoulder, the valve spring being adapted to close the main valve and shift the plunger to disengaged position when the hand lever is raised and the balls are released.

2. An automatic shut-oil dispensing nozzle for fluids comprising .a vai-ve mechanism .ior reptiel ling 'the yflovv .of .fluid through the nozzle, a dia.- phragmand a chamber associated therewith, .said valve ,mechanism including a main valve having a valve .opening on .the discharge Side .thereof 5 constricted in the `direction Yof flow therethrough, said constricted passageway and said .chamber being in communication with one another, .an

' orifice disposed ,adjacent .the ,discharge `end tof the nozzle, a ,tube leading from said Orifice t said chamber whereby air is .draw-n from said orifice through the .diaphragm chamber into Said constricted passageway when fluid hows therethrough and .sa-id orice is exposed, .air being withdrawn vfrom .the diaphragm chamber when said orice is submerged in the ,dispensed liquid, whereby a pressure .differential acts .on said .di-a phragm to ,deect the esame., a ,main spr-lpg LCon.- stantly Vurging said valve to .closed position, a plunger-mounted tomove .toward and away from the diaphragm, a hand lever for voperating the main valve, said `hand lever having a ffulor il carried by said plunger, said plunger being mov able between a ii-xed position .in which 'the han@ lever ,is adapted to open the main valve .and .a disengaged .position .which .the hand lever rendered inoperative `to y.open Lthe ,maip said plunger vhaving apluralityof radial open; .,gs, a stationary sleeve surrounding `the plunger, sleeve having :a locking .shoulder lfacing the plunger, .the radial ,openings ,in the plunger being adapted to register with the looking shoulder when the plunger is in lined position, ,a ,plu ity of locking balls, one of said balls .being dispo-Sed in each radial opening, said ,balls being .adapted to engage said ,looking ,shoulder to lock ,the plunger .in nxed position, .said plunger having an axial .opening in A.commu-nioation with the :radial openings. a .retainer ,pin- .attaolieol to the .dlaphiraem and suda-ble in saldar, pin having .a cylindrical ,looping .sect-lon o the Aoliaphragm .and adapted tto 1engage ing -loallsto hold :said looking halls @sagement with said lockingshoulder, a truste-ponle section extending inwardly :therefrom remote trom t `e lon, ,and mea-ns me the diaphragm and ,pin to hall-,engaging position ,and adapted to zdrive theirustowoonio .seeton of the plu .past the radialopenines the pluneA in iiXed positional-1d the pressure .differential .is terminated to drive 4the halls .into engagement withfsaid lockingshoulder, said .diaphrasmfmovresulting when said orifice is submerged ,to release the balls from .engagement :with the lool;- ing shoulder, the valve spring being ac lapted to close the main valve and shift the .plunger .to disengaged Iposition when the `hand leverde raised and the vballs are released.

3. An automatic shut-,off dispensing nozzle for fluids comprisinga valve mechanism ,forpoptrolling the flow of fluid throughthe nozzle, ,a diaphragme-nd a chamber associated therewith, Said valve mechanism including a main valve having a valve opening on the discharge side thereof constricted in the directionof flow therethrough, said constricted passageway and Ysaid ychamber being in communication ,with one another, an orifice disposed adjacent lthe disclfiarge end .of the nozzle, a tube lleading from said orifice to said chamber whereby air is drawn from said orifice through the diaphragm chamber into saidv ooristrieted passageway when .fluid flous therethroueh and said orioe is exposed, ,air .beine Withdrawn from the diaphragm ehsmper when said orioe is submerged .in the dispensed liquid,

whereby Va pressure differential acts o n said ,diaphragm to deflect the same, a main spring constantlv urging said valve to Closed position, e plunger mounted to move toward .and array from the diaphragm, a hand lever for `operating the main Valve, said hand lever having a fulcrumcarried lov said plunger, said plunger beine :movable between a xed position in which the hand lever is adapted to open the Vinaln valve .and a disengaged position in which the hand lever is rendered inoperative to open the main valve, said plunger having a plurality of .radial openings, a stationary sleeve surrounding the plunger, said Sleeve having a `locking lshoulder facing the plunger, the radial openings in the plunger being adapted to register with the locking shoulder when the plunger is in xed position, a plu 11lty of locking balls, one of said .balls being `disposed in ,each radial opening, said balls being adapted to ,engage said locking shoulder to lock .the plunger in fixed position, said plunger having an axial opening in communication with -the radial openings, a retainer pin attached Ato the .d;a phragm and slidable in said axial opening, said pin having a locking section adapted to engage said .locking .balls to hold said locking balls in engagement with said locking shoulder, a oompression coil spring coaxial with the plunger and urging the diaphragm .and pin to ball-engaging position and adapted to set vthe diaphragm and pin in ball-engaging position when pressure 4in the diaphragm .chamber is normal, ,said diaphragm moving .the pin out of ball-engaging position in response .to the development of pressure differential resulting when said orifice is submerged to release the balls from engagement with the locking shoulder, the valve spring being adapted to close the main valve and shift `the plunger to disengaged position when the hand lever is raised and the balls are released, and a plunger resetting compression coil spring `surrounding and coaxial with the plunger and urging the plunger to fixed position, .the plunger resetting spring being adapted .to hold the plunger in xed position when the hand lever `is released, whereby the plunger is .advanced lengthwise of the pin and is locked when the hand lever is released and the pressure in the diaphragm chamber is normal.

4. An automatic shut-off dispensing nozzle for fluids comprising a valve mechanism .for controlling the :dow of fluid through the nozzle, `a diaphragm .and a chamber associated therewith, said valve mechanism .including .a main valve having a valve opening on the discharge side thereof constricted in the direction o f flow therethrough, said constricted passageway and said chamber being in communication with one another, an orifice disposed adjacent the discharge end of the nozzle, a tube leading from said orifice to said chamber whereby air ,is drawn from said Aorifice through the diaphragm chamber into said constricted `passageway when fluid ows therethrough and said orice is exposed, air being withdrawn from the diaphragm chamber when said orice is submerged in the dispensed liquid, whereby a pressure differential acts on said diaphragm to deflect the same, a main spring constantly urging said main valve to closed position, a plunger mounted to move toward and away from the diaphragm, a hand lever -Afor operating the `main "valve, said hand lever having a fulcrum carried by said plunger, said plunger being movable between a xed Iposition in which the hand lever is adapted to .open the main valve and a disengaged position lin which the hand lever is rendered inoperative to open the main valve, said plunger having at least one transverse opening, a stationary member having a locking shoulder disposed adjacent and exteriorly of the plunger, the transverse opening in the plunger being adapted to register with the locking shoulder when the plunger is in Xed position, a locking member slideably mounted in said transverse opening and adapted to engage said locking shoulder to lock the plunger in fixed position, said plunger having a retainer opening parallel to the axis of movement thereof and communicating with the transverse opening, a retainer pin attached to the diaphragm and slideable in said retainer opening, said pin having a locking section adapted to engage the locking member to hold the locking member in engagement with said locking shoulder, and means urging the diaphragm and pin to locking position, the diaphragm -moving the pin out of locking position in response to the development of a pressure diierential resulting when said orice is submerged to release the locking member `from engagement with the locking shoulder, the valve spring being adapted to close the main valve and shift the plunger to disengaged position when the hand lever is raised and the locking member is released.

5. In a diaphragm operated, automatic shutorf liquid flow control valve of the type having a diaphragm cavity, a diaphragm therein dividing the cavity, a suction tube extending from the nozzle of the valve and communicating with the diaphragm cavity on one side oi the diaphragm, a tube communicating at one end with said cavity at said one side of the diaphragm and having its other end exposed to a liquid now through the valve, and a main valve controlling the flow of liquid therethrough, the combination of a iulcrum carrying plunger mounted on the other side of said diaphragm for sliding toward and away from said diaphragm, a hand lever for operating the main valve, said hand lever having a fulcrum carried by said iulcrum carrying plunger, the iulcrum being movable with said ulcrum carrying plunger between an operative position in which the hand lever is adapted to swing on the fulcrum between a raised position for opening the main valve and a lowered position for releasing the main valve, and a disengaged position in which the hand lever is inoperative for opening the main valve, spring means for normally holding the main valve closed, a pin reciprocably mounted in a lengthwise opening in said ulcrum carrying plunger for sliding parallel to the axis of sliding of the ulcrum carrying plunger, said pin being attached to said diaphragm, said pin having a central section and a lower section of reduced diameter, the central section and the lower section of the pin being slideable in said lengthwise opening, said iulcrum carrying plunger having at least one opening transverse to the direction oi sliding and connecting with the lengthwise opening, a locking member slideably mounted in said radial opening, and a stationary member exteriorly oi said ulcrum carrying plunger and having a lock shoulder facing the diaphragm, said locking member being adapted to engage said lock shoulder when the pin is in a lowered locked position with the central diaphragm cavity, a diaphragm therein dividing section of the pin opposite said radial opening", the pin and the diaphragm being advanceable away from the ulcrum when the pressure inthe diaphragm cavity is reduced whereby the lower section of the pin is disposed opposite the transverse opening of the plunger and the locking member is released when the pressure in the diaphragm cavity is reduced, the valve spring being adapted to close the main valve and shift the hand lever and the iulcrum carrying plunger to disengaged position when the hand lever is raised and the locking member is released.

6. In a diaphragm operated, automatic shut-off liquid ow control valve of the type having a diaphragm cavity, a diaphragm therein dividing the cavity, a suction tube extending from the nozzle of the valve and communicating with the diaphragm cavity on one side of the diaphragm, a tube communicating at one end with said cavity at said one side of the diaphragm and having its other end exposed to a liquid now through the valve, and a main valve controlling the flow of liquid therethrough, the combination of a fulcrum carrying plunger mounted on the other side of said diaphragm for sliding toward andI away from said diaphragm, a hand lever for operating the main valve, said hand lever having a fulcrum carried by said fulcrum carrying plunger, the fulcrum being movable with said fulcrum carrying plunger between an operative position in which the hand lever is adapted to swing on the ulcrum between a raised position for opening the main valve and a lowered Dosition for releasing the main valve, and a disengaged position in which the hand lever is inoperative for opening the main valve, spring means for normally holding the main valve closed, a pin reciprocably mounted in a lengthwise opening in said fulcrum carrying plunger for sliding parallel to the axis of sliding of the fulcrum carrying plunger, said pin being attached to said diaphragm, said pin having a central section and a lower section o reduced diameter, the central section and the lower section of the pin being 3., slidable in said lengthwise opening, said fulcrum carrying plunger having at least one opening transverse to the direction of sliding and connecting with the lengthwise opening, a locking member slidably mounted in, said radial opening, a stationary member exteriorly of said fulcrum carrying plunger and having a lock shoulder facing the diaphragm, said locking member being adapted to engage said lock shoulder when the pin is in a lowered locked position with the central section of the pin opposite said radial opening, the pin and the diaphragm being advanceable away from the ulcrum when the pressure in the diaphragm cavity is reduced whereby the lower section of the pin is disposed opposite the transverse opening of the plunger and the locking member is released when the pressure in the diaphragm cavity is reduced, the valve spring being adapted to close the main valve and shift the hand lever and the fulcrum carrying plunger to disengaged position when the hand lever is raised and the locking member is released, and the spring means urging the diaphragm and pin toward the ulcrum when the pressure in the vdiaphragm cavity on said one side of the diaphragm is normal, to normally hold the diaphragm and pin in position for locking the fulcrum carrying plunger.

7. In a diaphragm operated, automatic shut-off liquid flow control valve of the type having a 9 the cavity, a suction tube extending from the nozzle of the valve and communicating with the diaphragm cavity on one side of the diaphragm, a tube communicating at one end with said cavity at said one side of the diaphragm and having its other end exposed to a liquid ilow through the valve, and a main valve controlling the ow of liquid therethrough, the combination of a fulcrum carrying plunger mounted on the other side of said diaphragm for sliding toward and away from said diaphragm, a hand lever for operating the main valve, said hand lever having a fulcrum carried by said fulcrum carrying plunger, the fulcrum being movable with said fulcrum carrying plunger between an operative position in which the hand lever is adapted to swing on the fulcrum between a raised position for opening the main valve and a lowered position for releasing the main valve, and a disengaged position in which the hand lever is inoperative for opening the main valve, a spring means for normally hold ing the main valve closed, a pin reciprocablf.7 mounted in a lengthwise opening in said fulcrum carrying plunger for sliding parallel to the axis of sliding of the fulcrum carrying plunger, said pin being attached to said diaphragm, said pin t having a central section and a lower section of reduced diameter, the central section and the lower section of the pin being slidable in said lengthwise opening, said fulcrum carrying plunger having at least one opening transverse to the direction of sliding and connecting with the lengthwise opening, a locking member slidably mounted in said radial opening, a stationary member exteriorly of said fulcrum carrying plunger and having. a lock shoulder facing the diaphragm, said locking member being adapted to engage said lock shoulder when the pin is in a lowered locked position with the centralsection of the pin opposite said radial opening, the pin and the diaphragm being advanceable away from the fulcrum when the pressure in the diaphragm cavity is reduced whereby the lower section of the pin is disposed opposite the transverse opening' of the plunger and the locking member is released when the pressure in the diaphragm cavity is reduced, the valve spring being adapted to close the main valve and shift the hand lever and and the fulcrum carrying plunger to disengaged position when the hand lever is raised and the locking member is released, a coil spring means surrounding and urging the fulcrum carrying plunger to operative position when the hand lever is released, and a coil spring means coaxial with the first mentioned coil spring means for urging the diaphragm and the pin toward the fulcrum when the pressure in the diaphragm cavity on said one side of the diaphragm is normal, whereby the fulerum carrying plunger is advanced lengthwise of the pin and is locked when the pressure in the diaphragm cavity on said one side of the diaphragm is normal and the hand lever is released.

LEONARD H. DUERR REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Davis May 25, 1943 Number 

